Switch box



1,585,150 0. 8. JENNINGS SWITCH BOX Filed Oct. 27, 1920 May 18 1926.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR' WWW Olzrer EJ601 10 ATTORNEY Patented May 1%, 1925.

srrss OLIVER S. JENNINGS, OF B'Et-OQKLYJH' NEVJ YORK, .ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- T310 6% MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNYLVANIA.

SWITCH BOX.

Application filed October 27, 1920f Serial No. 420,047.

My invention relates to switches and particularly to enclosed swltches wherein the switch mechanism is actuated by an ext *riorly-extending operating shaft or handle.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and readily attachable mechanism which may be applied to the operating shaft of the simple handle-operated enclosed-switch mechanism, whereby the switch may be opened and closed with a snap action.

A further object is to provide a switch mechanism having the above characteristics wherein the operating handle for the improved mechanism serves as a retaining and protecting housing for the switch-actuating mechanism.

Switches enclosed in boxes operated by a simple bent-rod lever projecting exteriorly of'the box have been used extensively in lighting and power-circuit installations. Such switches and boxes are more or less standardized, the switch being of the knife blade type and adapted to be opened by a handle-actuating lever. Consequently, the opening movement of the switch of this type is comparatively slow, and destructive arcing results.

To obviate this condition and to increase the safety of operation, the switch blade should be quickly moved to open and to closed position with a snap action. The advantages of a quick-make and a quick-break switch are well recognized in the art and, for certain classes of installations, wiring regulations require that the switches be snapactuated. In installations employing the ordinary knife-blade switches, such requirements necessitate the removal of the old switches and replacement of the switches of the quick make-and-break' type, which involves considerable expense, inconvenience and delay.

An object ofthis invention is to provide a quick make-and-break attachment for switch boxes that can be readily attached to standard boxes by simply replacing the old handle with a crank arm, and attaching a handle member to the box that contains the necessary mechanism for imparting, a snap action to the -switch shaft.

These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout the further de scription of the apparatus, are attained by F means of the apparatus embodying'my in vention herein described and illustrated in:

the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section through a switch box having my switch-actuating mechanism attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a section through the switch-operating mechanism taken on the line IIII of Fig. 1. v

Figs. and 4 are front and side elevations, respectively, of the switch-operating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus includes a switch box 5 in which a knifeblade switch 6 is mounted. The box is pro vided with a cover 7, and the switch 6 is actuated by means of a bent-rod operating shaft 8, having one end pivoted to a side wall of a box and the other end projecting through the opposite side wall thereof. The projecting end of the shaft is provided with a square portion 9 to which an operating handle is usually attached. The switch and box above described are of a standard type well known to the art and, therefore, a detailed descrip tion thereof will not be necessary.

In practicing my invention, where the device is applied to a standard switch box, as above described, the usual handle is first removed, and a crank member 10 is so placed upon the square portion 9 of the switch shaft that it rotates with the shaft. A crank pin 11 is carried by the free end of the crank member 10, and the edge of thecrank memher is provided with projecting teeth 11a and 12 that are adapted to be engaged by pawl members 13 and 14, respectively. The outer end of the crank member is provided with an enlarged head portion which forms a pair of stop faces 15 and 16 that respectively engage the pawl members 13 and 14. The pawl members 13 and 14 are pivoted upon pins 17 and 18, respectively, which are mounted on a plate 19 that is secured to the side of the box by means ofscrews 20. The

pawls are normally held in engagement with 100 the edges of the crank member by a bent-leaf spring 21 that is inserted between opposite extensions 22 and 23 of the pawl member and lodged in the notches 24 thereof.

The crank arm is operated bymeans of 105 an operating lever 25 that is provided with a cylindrical casing 26'which is rotatably mounted upon a bracket 27 that is. secured tg the Side of the box by means of-screws esu'lli l L e v 1 1 a "b r l O l 1 1* 3; H S TIL 1. C O; E v 3 11. av 11 7k 1 1 A a. I b

relation 0? etu- 1' 1 tic lost-111ml th the $2 1. 1. shaft,

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ting the the s ttl switches 1111p;11t111g snap action there said shaft for permit 111 response L3 L1 1- with vzurwus smtehee.

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movement of the said casing and means whereby the said casing may be turned.

5. The combination with a switch box and a switch shaft projecting therefrom, of a shaft secured to the box and alined with the switch shaft, an operating member pivoted exteriorly of the box and upon the second shaft, a floating spring yieldingly connecting the switch shaft to the operating member whereby the switch shaft is moved by the operating member, and means for retaining the switch shaft in predetermined positions, irrespective of movement of the operating shaft within predetern'iined limits of movement and for releasing the said shaft when the operating shaft has moved beyond the said predetermined limits of movement.

6. Switch mech nism comprising a box, a switch shaft projecting therefrom, a bracket secured to the box, a casing rotatably mounted exteriorly of the box and upon the bracket, a floating spring within the casing yieldingly connecting the casing and the switch shaft, and means for controlling the movement of the said shaft, actuated by the casing.

7. Switch mechanism comprising a box, a switch shaft, a bracket mounted upon the box, a casing rotatably mounted on the bracket, a floating spring within the casing yieldingly connecting the casing and the switch shaft, and means for controlling the movement of the said shaft movably mounted on the box and operable by the said casing.

8. Switch mechanism comprising a box, a switch member, a casing rotatably mounted on the box, a spring connecting the casing to the switch member for normally retaining the said shaft and the casing in a predetermined relation, and means within the casing and pivotally mounted on the box and operable by the casing for controlling the movement of the said shaft.

9. Switch mechanism comprising a box. a.

10. Switch mechanism comprising a box, a

switch shaft projecting therefrom, a crank member mounted on the pro ect1ng end of the switch shaft and movable therewith, a

casing rotatably mounted exteriorly of the box, a spring within the casing yieldingly connecting the casing to the crank member for normally retaining the shaft and the casing in a predetermined relation, and pawl members yieldingly held in engagement with the crank member for controlling the movenent thereof and operable by the said casing.

11. Switch mechanism comprising a box, a switch shaft, a casing rotatably mounted on the box, a floating spring within the casing yieldingly connecting the casing and the switch shaft, means for controlling the movement of the said shaft movably mount,- ed on the box and operable by the said casing, and means whereby the switch is positively actuated by the said casing.

12. The combination with a switch box and a switch shaft projecting therefrom, of an operating means for the said shaft including a rotatable casing pivotally mounted exteriorly of the box and having therein an elastic lost-motion connection with the said shaft, and means for controlling the said shaft including a pair of pawl members pivoted to the said box and operable to release the shaft by the casing when the latter has been rotated a predetermined distance.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14 day of October,

1.920. OLIVER S. JENNINGS. 

